The anterior basal lobe and control of prey-capture in the cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)

The predatory behaviour of the cuttlefish comprises several stages: prey-detection, orientation, translation and prey-seizing. In this neuroethological study, lesions to the anterior basal lobe were made by an electrolytic method and the animals were allowed to attack their prey in an unrestricted way so that motor defects, functional recovery and the emergence of new adaptative behavioural strategies could be studied. Lesions to the central region of the anterior basal lobe suppress the orientating behaviour, thus only prey situated in the frontal visual field can be seized. Less extensive lesions in this region are associated with similar defects. Without head orientation, the cuttlefish still rotates with its fins. This rotation, however, is usually underestimated, tentacular ejection thus missing the prey. Dorsal lesions cause an underestimation of tentacular strike often associated with defects in maintaining ocular convergence. These results demonstrate the heterogenous function of the anterior basal lobe and its complex role in the control of predatory behaviour.